Washington International Horse Show Announces First Responders Ticket Program

The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), one of the most prestigious equestrian sporting events in North America, announces the launch of its First Responders Ticket Program, an initiative created to thank first responders in the nation’s capital.

In its inaugural year, the WIHS First Responders Ticket Program, presented by AT&T, will honor local Fire, EMS, Police and other first responders, offering them a complimentary night with their families at the Washington International Horse Show and special recognition throughout the 6-day event, which stages from October 25-30, 2016 at Verizon Center.

WIHS’ relationship with first responders is most visible with its annual Mounted Police Breakfast, a long-honored and fan-favorite tradition. The breakfast, which honors Washington D.C.’s Mounted Police force units across the region, takes place in front of Hotel Monaco, formerly a 19th century post office whose 8th Street restaurant entrance was once a carriageway passage for horses and buggies. An outdoor buffet--including one for horses--will be offered at Hotel Monaco on Wednesday, October 26 from 8AM-10AM.

The WIHS First Responders Ticket Program complements the popular WIHS Military Ticket Program presented by Fidelity Investments, which has provided over 21,500 tickets to military families since its inception and culminates at WIHS Military Night on  Friday, October 28 from 7PM-10:30PM. The events, competition and exhibitions on this evening are about speed and power as the WIHS honors the U.S. Armed Forces. Events include the $50,000 GE Speed Final, a high-test race over a challenging course with jumps close to five feet, the thrilling Puissance high jump competition, presented by The Boeing Company, and the Jump for TAPS program raising funds and awareness for WIHS military partner, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

WIHS is pleased to welcome inaugural ticket distribution partners Chinatown DCFD-Engine 2, Penn Quarter Fire, Police and EMS employees, DC Police Union and District of Columbia Nurses Association to the program and is currently seeking additional interested organizations. For more information, please contact WIHS at 202-525-3679 or info@wihs.org.

Tickets for the general public are available at Verizon Center box office, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. The show runs Tuesday, October 25th through Sunday, October 30th with day and evening performances except Sunday (daytime only). Daytime tickets (general admission only) are $15 (plus applicable service charge) with children 12 and under admitted free. For evening performances, VIP, reserved and general admission tickets are available starting as low as $20. For group discounts, contact Verizon Center Group Sales at 202-661-5061. For more information on tickets and discounts for military, seniors and students, please visit http://www.wihs.org/tickets/.

Special entertainment designed for children includes WIHS Barn Night, presented by Dover Saddlery, The Peterson Family Foundation and National Harbor, featuring contests, scavenger hunts and the entertaining $35,000 Accumulator Top Score Costume Show (Friday, October 28th), and WIHS Kids' Day, presented by Animal Planet and Equus Foundation, a popular street festival with free, fun and educational horse-based activities for the local D.C. community (Saturday, October 29th). Highlighted events support community organizations and charities providing services including military family support.

Follow WIHS on Twitter https://twitter.com/wihs, on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/horseshow, on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/WashingtonHorseShow, and on Instagram https://instagram.com/wihs/
 

About Washington International Horse Show, www.wihs.org
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of the most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events in North America. More than 26,000 spectators attend the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Highlights include the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington, presented by Events DC (Saturday night), the Puissance high jump presented by The Boeing Company on Military Night (Friday) and Kids' Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition and is currently ranked #7 in the Top 25 Horse Shows by the North American Riders Group. WIHS is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports.